Azores
Located in the north of the Atlantic Ocean, this archipelago is the westernmost point of Europe and is made up of nine fantastic islands:
Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo.
Carved by volcanoes over thousands of years, the Azores are home to extraordinary geological formations that include lava tunnels, waterfalls, hot springs and crater lakes.
The volcanic peaks offer spectacular views, with Ponta do Pico being the highest spot in Portugal at 2351 meters high.
Evergreen forests, endemic plants and pastures and cultivated land cover much of the slopes, while lush flowering hydrangeas color the landscape from spring to autumn.
Taste
From an umami appetizer to a hot soup and a complete main course, in the Azores you will live a great and unique gastronomic experience in all the islands.
On the island of São Jorge you can find São Jorge cheese, perfect for a snack at any time; the nutritious and tasty Fish soup and Espírito Santo Soups will definitely keep you warm and full.
Last but not least, Cozido das Furnas from São Miguel Island, is the best known dish in the Azores and is distinguished by the way it is cooked: underground! They put all the ingredients for the stew (vegetables, meat and sausages) and bury it in Furnas, a thermal spring located on the island.
Smell
The Azores archipelago is full of wonderful and natural aromas that will make your trip even more memorable. As natural wonders reign in the Azores, it is obvious that most of the smell you will smell during your visit will be the sea that surrounds the islands and the trees in the forests. However, there are more options to explore and in the Azores you will certainly find other very interesting ones.
Starting from the visually appealing and refreshing aroma that will turn into a hot and relaxing drink is the Plantações da Gorreana on the Island of São Miguel, where the oldest and only tea plantation in Europe is located. As a tropical, exotic and refreshing option that you can drink or eat afterwards, we recommend a visit to the pineapple plantation, also on the island of São Miguel. Last but not least, fall in love with the stunning views of the hydrangea field as you explore the roads of Flores Island.
See
Prepare to fall in love with the beauty of the Azores as soon as you step off the plane. Whether from the natural landscape to monuments, picturesque villages and traditional festivals, the Azores have it all.
Mother nature offers you the main attractions in the Islands. Pico mountain, the highest mountain in portugal, on the island of São Miguel, fall in love with one of the best known landscapes and natural corners called Lagoa das Sete Cidades or the unmissable natural wonder of Caldeirão, a lagoon located inside a volcano on Corvo Island, just to mention a few.
As for human creations, explore villages like Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island and see the beauty of the contrast between nature and civilization, take part in the Festivities of the Holy Spirit on Graciosa Island and explore the vineyards while admiring the beautiful landscape of Pico mountain.
Touch
When visiting the Azores islands, discover the stunning natural wonders available throughout the archipelago, such as Caldeira Velha on São Miguel Island, a natural hot spring surrounded by plants and trees and including a waterfall with warm water.
A must when visiting the Azores is a visit to a pineapple plantation, where you'll learn about the work behind a pineapple plantation.
As you explore the islands and discover what they have to offer, take the opportunity to learn more about the crafts made on the islands, tapping into the grooves of the incredible craftsmanship and taking it away as a unique souvenir, such as the intricate embroideries made on Terceira Island and the colorful pottery and ceramic work on the island of São Miguel.
Listen
So that your trip to the Azores is as complete as possible, don't forget to turn off your headphones and listen to the sound of nature and the animals that inhabit the land, air and sea.
Listen to the sound of the wind passing through the trees and plants while admiring the beauty of Terra Nostra Park on São Miguel Island; listen to the waves crashing on the rocks as they reach the shore while soaking up the stunning views of Capelinhos Volcano on Faial Island; or listen to the singing of whales and dolphins during the boat trip to watch them, available on Terceira Island.
Additional Information:
Airports:
Santa Maria Airport (Island of Santa Maria)
João Paulo II Airport (Sao Miguel Island)
Lajes Civil Airport (Terceira Island)
Horta Airport (Faial Island)
Graciosa Airfield (Graciosa Island)
Pico Airport (Pico Island)
Sao Jorge Airfield (Sao Jorge Island)
Flores Airport (Flores Island)
Corvo Airfield (Corvo Island)
